WATCH: “Playing pain-free tennis is the best tennis” – Novak Djokovic optimistic about his match fitness heading into Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic has confirmed his participation for the Wimbledon.

WATCH: “Playing pain-free tennis is the best tennis” – Novak Djokovic optimistic about his match fitness heading into Wimbledon

Novak Djokovic (via Imago/X)

Seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic has given a positive update about his preparations for the upcoming grass Grand Slam. The Serbian had a hit with Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner on Friday as he returns to competitive tennis for the first time since his Roland Garros quarter-final withdrawal.

Speaking courtside after his practice, Djokovic emphasized the importance of testing his knees on the grass. The former World No. 1 claimed that he was playing without any pain and hopes for a good fortnight ahead at SW19.

I can tell you that I enjoyed myself really, really much today. I can tell you that pain-free tennis is the best tennis. I was pain-free and I’m really glad. It was a great test obviously against one of the best players in the world.
Novak Djokovic said on court side at Wimbledon

Djokovic will be aiming to match Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon titles. The Serbian was denied the milestone last year by Carlos Alcaraz in the final, who beat him in five sets to win his first title at the All England Club.

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In 2024, Djokovic is yet to win an ATP title, and the meniscus injury he sustained at Roland Garros was the icing on the cake of a poor tennis season so far. However, with the Paris Olympics ahead, Wimbledon provides him the perfect opportunity to regain his confidence.

Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon 2024 draw explained

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and top seed Jannik Sinner are in the same half of the Wimbledon draw. They could face each other in the semi-finals. Alcaraz, who beat Novak Djokovic in last year’s Wimbledon final, recently defeated Sinner in the French Open semi-finals. The 21-year-old Spaniard leads their head-to-head series 5-4.

Novak Djokovic Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic (via Imago)

Djokovic, the second seed, will play Czech qualifier Vit Kopriva in the first round. He might face Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the third round, Holger Rune in the fourth, and seventh seed Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter-finals. Hurkacz reached the semi-finals in 2021.

Fourth seed Alexander Zverev is in the same half as Djokovic. The French Open finalist could meet 13th seed Taylor Fritz in the fourth round and sixth seed Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals. Rublev might play 25th seed Lorenzo Musetti in the third round and 11th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the fourth. British player Jack Draper could be Zverev’s opponent in the third round.

Two-time champion Andy Murray will face Czech Tomas Machac in the first round on Monday. Ninth seed Alex de Minaur will take on Australian lucky loser James Duckworth. The Australian is in Djokovic’s quarter of the draw.

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